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Fruit-on-the-Bottom Tapioca Pudding

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Fruit-on-the-Bottom Tapioca PuddingRomulo Yanes

Beneath a creamy layer of tapioca pudding lurks a silky strawberry base. Ground fennel seeds perk up the flavor of the fruit.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    40 min (includes chilling)

  • Yield

    Makes 6 servings

Ingredients

2

cups water

1

/3 cup small tapioca pearls

1

cup heavy cream

6

tablespoons sugar, divided

1

teaspoon fennel seeds

1

quart strawberries, trimmed and coarsely chopped

Equipment: an electric coffee/spice grinder or a mortar and pestle

Need to make a substitution?

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Bring water to a boil in a 1-quart heavy saucepan. Whisk in tapioca and simmer, uncovered, whisking occasionally, until tapioca is mostly opaque, about 15 minutes. Whisk in cream, 1/4 cup sugar, and 1/8 teaspoon salt and simmer, uncovered, whisking occasionally, until tapioca is cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a metal bowl and cool completely in an ice bath, stirring frequently, 5 to 10 minutes.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, grind fennel seeds in grinder. Pulse strawberries in a food processor with fennel and remaining 2 tablespoons sugar until coarsely puréed. Divide among (6-ounce) glasses.

    Step 3

    Spoon tapioca over strawberries. Chill until cold, about 15 minutes.